06/04/2006

Prep Roundup

TC West softball claims its first district title

FROM STAFF REPORTS

ALPENA — They didn't win the Big North Conference softball title, so the Traverse City West Titans did the next best thing.

They captured their first-ever Division 1 district championship.

The Titans (20-13) edged TC Central 1-0 in the first game, then stunned host Alpena 5-2 in the title game Saturday to advance to next weekend's regional at Bay City.

"I'm extremely proud of these girls," said sixth-year coach Gary Powell. "Quite frankly, I had my doubts about coming over here and winning. It's a tough place to play, and Alpena has pretty much owned the Big North Conference. It's wonderful to see these girls break through and win one."

The Titans' district title celebration could be short lived unless next week's regional schedule can be changed. Graduation ceremonies for the nine seniors on the team are set to be held about the same time.

"(Athletic director) Patti Tibaldi is already working on it," Powell said. "We may have to bring up our JVs. It would be a shame, but graduation is our first priority."

Molly Valleau tossed a three-hitter in West's win over Central. Sydney Allgaier singled and tripled for the Titans. West, which left nine runners on base, scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth. Kirstin Robinson singled and pinch runner Carly Allore eventually scored on Sarah Klotzbach's RBI single.

Angie Hunt was the tough-luck loser. She gave up only five hits.

Alpena scored two runs off Grace O'Malley in the first inning of the title contest, but she buckled down while the Titans' offense rallied with a four-run second.

Valleau doubled, Robinson singled, Julian Dormitzer batted in a run on a fielder's choice, Salina Hasenmyer drove in another with a single and Emily Jones batted in two more with a single.

The Titans added their final run in the seventh when Klotzbach singled and scored on a fielder's choice.

O'Malley finished with a five-hitter. Kyan Kiogima was a defensive standout.

MORE SOFTBALL

Kalkaska claims its third straight district title

Kaitlyn Raymond tossed a pair of shutouts as Kalkaska won its third straight district title and its fourth in five years.

Raymond and the Blazers closed out the tournament at East Jordan with a 10-0 victory over Mancelona.

Kalkaska (25-7) advances to the regional at St. Francis.

Raymond allowed just two hits and struck out nine in the finale. Raeann Lupo had three hits and Kristin Omsberg three RBIs. Kaley Babcock added two hits.

Raymond allowed four hits and fanned seven as Kalkaska advanced with a 3-0 win over Boyne City. Lupo scored twice and Babcock had a two-run triple.

Mancelona advanced with a 3-2 win over East Jordan.

TCSF edges Elks, rolls past Benzie in finals

Traverse City St. Francis topped host Elk Rapids 5-4 in the district opener and rolled to a 10-0 victory over Benzie Central in the Division 3 district title game

Nikki Hastings was the winning pitcher in both games, striking out six in each contest.

Megan Hooper had two hits for the Gladiators and Julia Banducci two RBIs in the first game.

Banducci added two hits and three RBIs while Jill Kuhlman tallied two hits in the win over Benzie.

Frankfort posts two shutouts to reach regional

Jenny Elliott allowed just one hit in two games as Frankfort won a Division 4 district title with a 10-0 victory over Brethren in the final.

Elliott faced one batter over the minimum in the seven-inning contest. She struck out 17 as the Panthers (34-3) advanced to the regional they will host next Saturday. Frankfort will take on Lake Leelanau St. Mary's.

Brenna Banktson cranked a solo home run as part of a 15-hit attack for Frankfort. Elliott, Nicole Marshall, Brooke Mallory, Nicole Fewins, Allison Webber and Banktson had two hits.

Banktson had a solo home run and a three-run double as Frankfort advanced with an 11-0 victory over Manistee Catholic. Elliott tossed a one-hitter and struck out nine while Bree Bayette and Fewins helped the cause with two hits.

Offense breaks out for the Bulldogs

Mesick scored in double digits in both of its games in the Division 4 district in Bear Lake.

The Bulldogs won the title with an 11-1 win over Buckley after opening with a 14-2 triumph over Bear Lake.

Buckley beat Forest Area 9-3 in its first game.

BASEBALL

Kalkaska blanks Boyne, tops EJ to win district

Kalkaska won a Division 3 district championship with wins of 8-0 over Boyne City and 4-3 over East Jordan.

Jim Peters was the winning pitcher in both games, tossing a three-hitter in the first game while striking out nine.

Peters pitched in relief of Cory Heier in the Blazers' win over East Jordan.

Andrew Vandergriff paced the Kalkaska offense with four hits including a double and three RBIs in the first game. Peters added a two-run homer.

John Kasza had two hits in the first game.

Elks top TCSF and Benzie to win district crown

Elk Rapids edged Traverse City St. Francis 2-1, then beat Benzie Central 11-3 to win its first district championship since 1996.

Cory William was the winning pitcher for Elk Rapids (21-8-1) in its win over TC St. Francis. He fanned five.

William also had two hits.

Williams returned to the mound in the finale, pitching the final two innings in the Elks' win over the Huskies.

Charlie Smith went 4-for-4 while Nick Rausch and Zach Dreffs had two hits each for Elk Rapids.

Benzie Central edged Suttons Bay 7-6 in nine innings in the opening round.

Sam Almeter led Suttons Bay by going for 3-for-4 with a triple and four RBIs. Anthony Stewart, Ben Herman, Cody Herman and Mike McSawby added two hits apiece for the Norsemen (12-17-2).

Glen Lake advances to regional tournament

Glen Lake rolled past Lake Leelanau St. Mary's 9-0, then topped Leland 8-2 to win a Division 4 district title.

Ben Jacklin was the winning pitcher for Glen Lake in the first game. Ben Jacklin tossed a three-hitter, striking out 12.

Ben Jacklin, Weston Buchan, Josh Jacklin and Kienan Sutton had two hits each for the Lakers (26-11).

Leland advanced with a 12-1 win over TC Christian.

Buchan threw a two-hitter and had 13 strikeouts in the championship game.

Josh Scarbrough had a three-run homer and James Czapek had two hits to lead the Laker offense.

Frankfort rolls past Brethren in final, 17-1

Five Frankfort batters banged out as least two hits as Frankfort routed Brethren, 17-1, to win a Division 4 district title.

The Panthers (27-8), who set a school record for wins, will remain at home for the regional tournament next Saturday.

Garrett Luxford led the way with three hits, two of which were doubles. Wade Luxford also had two doubles while Derek Good, Tyler Stratton and Dan Haigh also had two hits.

Haigh allowed just one hit.

Frankfort advanced with an 11-10 victory over Onekama. Winning pitcher Chris Tondu helped his own cause by going 4 for 4.

Brethren beat Manistee Catholic 10-5 to reach the final. Nick Clark was the winning pitcher.

Mesick blanks Buckley to capture championship

Mesick's Brad Hall shut out Buckley 7-0 to win the Division 4 district at Bear Lake. Hall tossed a one-hitter with eight strikeouts.

Mesick advanced with a 9-5 triumph over Bear Lake.

Buckley beat Forest Area 14-2 in its first game. The Bears (8-14) collected 14 hits, with Jesse Shelton, Justin Weaver and Jeff Jerrett rapping out three each. Shelton was the winner, fanning five batters in three innings.

Harbor Light tops Central Lake in district

Harbor Light Christian edged host Central Lake 4-2 to win the Division 4 district championship.

Garrett Urman had two hits.

Harbor Light advanced after knocking off Boyne Falls.

Central Lake advanced with a 15-6 win over Ellsworth. Brent Patton was the winning pitcher and had two hits and two RBIs. Ryan Crawley had three hits and five RBIs.